The British Ministry of Defence has extended the investigation into the death of a marine in southern Iraq at the height of the war.
Officials were thought to have ruled out the possibility of so-called "friendly fire" as having caused the death of Christopher Maddison (24) as his landing craft was attacked while patrolling the Al-Faw peninsula on March 30th.
But a BBC documentary claims to have unearthed new evidence that casts into doubt a conclusion that he died as a result of "enemy action".
The patrol was within range of another group of Royal Marines who were equipped with anti-tank missiles, the documentary claimed.
The MoD said the military investigation into Marine Maddison's death had been "extended" to take account of any new evidence that might have come to light from the documentary, part of the series Fighting The War.
A spokesman for the MoD said: "We're keen to reach the truth about this case, if only for the sake of Marine Maddison's family."
He said the inquiry had not been "re-opened" as "it was never closed in the first place".
"The inquiry has been extended. This is perfectly routine and it means that evidence brought forward will be examined once and for all to establish the nature of Marine Maddison's death," he said.
PA